England Women's crash back from the brink to book Lord's final showdown with Australia



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England Women's crash back from the brink to book Lord's final showdown with Australia

England Women are through to the final of the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup after a 40-run win over South Africa at The Oval, a result that finally lays to rest two painful semi-final defeats by the same opponents at recent tournaments.

It didn't start well. Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp tore through the top order inside the powerplay, leaving England reeling on 23 for 3 – their worst start of the tournament alongside their group game against Ireland. Ismail struck with the very first ball of her spell, becoming the first bowler in Women's T20 World Cup history to reach 50 wickets, before Kapp removed Danni Wyatt-Hodge to pile on the pressure.

From there, though, England's past and present captains took charge. Nat Sciver-Brunt, back after missing three matches with a recurring calf injury, and Heather Knight put on 133 for the fourth wicket off just 90 balls – the highest partnership by any pair in a Women's T20 World Cup semi-final. Sciver-Brunt looked in imperious touch throughout, striking eleven fours and a six on her way to 75 off 47 balls, while Knight brought up her own half-century with a slog-sweep for six before the pair fell in quick succession to Nonkululeko Mlaba. England couldn't quite kick on at the death but still posted a formidable 169 for 5.

South Africa never got close. Tazmin Brits fought hard for a defiant fifty, but wickets fell steadily around her as England's attack shared the load – Charlie Dean and Lauren Bell took two apiece, with Sophie Ecclestone and Freya Kemp chipping in as well. South Africa were bowled out for 129, well short of the target, as England ran out comfortable 40-run winners.

The victory sends England into their fifth Women's T20 World Cup final, where they'll face six-time champions Australia at Lord's on Sunday. Both sides go into the showpiece unbeaten, and England will be hoping home advantage counts for something – they've never lost a women's World Cup, in any format, on home soil.

Nat Sciver-Brunt was named Player of the Match for her match-winning innings, but this was a team effort built on a fightback from adversity, and England will take plenty of confidence into the final against a familiar and formidable old rival.

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